Ohio’s Best Pizza Places That Don’t Look Like Much But Have Amazing Slices
A plain Ohio storefront has tricked me more times than I can count, and pizza is usually the delicious culprit. If the sign is faded, the parking lot is oddly busy, and the décor screams “we spent the money on the oven,” I am already reaching for my wallet.
This is my love letter to Ohio pizza joints that look like nothing special until the first slice makes you rethink your standards.
I have walked into modest carryouts, tiny brick boxes, and strip-mall corners expecting a quick bite, then stood in the lot eating a second slice like it was a perfectly reasonable life choice.
These places skip the fancy touch-ups and focus on the real flex: crust that snaps at the edge, sauce with the right balance, and cheese that pulls like it has stage presence.
From Athens to Akron, these 15 Ohio spots prove great pizza does not need mood lighting to show off. Bring your appetite, your napkins, and a willingness to judge a building by the box it hands you.
1. Avalanche Pizza – Athens
Bright colors shout from the outside of Avalanche Pizza, but the building itself still feels like a simple corner shop tucked along East State Street.
I walk in past the stacks of pizza boxes and the counter full of wild slice combinations, and it feels like the kind of place where creativity is more important than polish.
The menu reads like a love letter to big flavors, with toppings that sound slightly unhinged until I taste how well they work together. Even a plain pepperoni slice comes out huge, with a crust sturdy enough to hold cupping pepperoni and a generous blanket of cheese.
Thin yet chewy dough keeps every bite light enough that I accidentally reach for another slice. College students and locals stream in steadily, and I realize this loud, scruffy Athens shop quietly serves some of Ohio’s most memorable pizza.
Address: 329 E State St, Athens, OH 45701.
2. Rubino’s Pizza – Bexley
From the street, Rubino’s looks like the kind of tiny brick storefront you only notice because of the cars squeezed along East Main. Once I step inside, the checkered curtains, narrow room, and old-school menu make it clear that updates are rare and the recipe is the real focus.
The thin crust here is almost impossibly crisp, party-cut into little squares that somehow vanish faster than I plan. Each bite hits the perfect balance of tangy sauce, bubbly cheese, and pepperoni with just enough spice to keep things interesting.
Cash only means the vibe stays very no-nonsense, just orders being called out and pizzas sliding from the oven.
When I watch regulars pay without glancing at a menu, it feels obvious that this unassuming Bexley classic has already proven everything it needs to, one square at a time.
Address: 2643 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209.
3. Terita’s Pizza – Columbus
A plain brick building on Cleveland Avenue is not where I usually expect to find one of the city’s most argued-about pies. Yet the minute I open the door at Terita’s, the warm blast of oregano, cheese, and toasting crust answers every question.
The counter takes up most of the modest space, and the glass-block windows feel like a postcard from another decade. I watch sheet after sheet of thin, square-cut pizza emerge from the oven, edges just starting to char in the best way.
The crust is crisp but never brittle, with a sauce that leans savory instead of sugary, spread all the way to the edge. When locals talk about Columbus-style pizza, they say Terita’s name with the kind of quiet certainty that makes this modest carryout feel legendary.
Address: 3905 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43224.
4. Bexley Pizza Plus – Columbus
In a simple strip of East Main Street storefronts, Bexley Pizza Plus blends in so well that I could miss it if I blink. The only real hint is the steady stream of people hustling in empty-handed and leaving with boxes held like treasure.
Inside, the room is straightforward and comfortable, with a menu that quietly brags about award-winning pies without any fancy decor backing it up. The crust lands in that sweet spot between crispy and airy, strong enough to hold generous layers of toppings and molten cheese.
Specialty combinations pile on ingredients without ever feeling sloppy, and even a basic cheese pizza shows off how good their sauce and dough really are.
By the time I hear regulars greeting staff by name and comparing favorite topping combos, it is clear this low-key spot happily lets the slices do the talking.
Address: 2651 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209.
5. Gatto’s Pizza – Columbus (Clintonville)
Driving up Indianola, Gatto’s barely raises its voice above the neighborhood traffic, just a simple sign and a compact frontage. Inside, the space is tight and practical, more focused on carryout tickets than on design touches.
The dough is made in-house and it shows, with a crust that stays thin but surprisingly flavorful, carrying a good chew even at the edges. Sauce leans savory and herb-forward, letting the cheese and toppings shine without getting heavy.
Cupped pepperoni curls into little flavor pockets, and the cheese stretches into long, satisfying strings when I pull a slice away.
With only a few dine-in seats and a constant hum of pickup orders, this Clintonville staple proves that a neighborhood workhorse can quietly deliver some of the city’s most dependable pizza.
Address: 3420 Indianola Ave, Columbus, OH 43214.
6. Pizzeria DiLauro – Chagrin Falls
Tucked into a small plaza along Chillicothe Road, Pizzeria DiLauro looks like the kind of place you stumble on while running errands. Flower boxes and a modest patio hint that someone here cares more about hospitality than flash.
Once I step up to the counter, the East Coast lean of the menu jumps out in the best possible way. The pies arrive with beautifully blistered edges, thin centers, and toppings arranged with the kind of care that makes even a margherita feel special.
The sauce tastes bright and clean, the mozzarella melts into soft pools, and the crust stays crisp without turning cracker-like.
Families linger over shared pies on the patio while regulars breeze in for carryout, and it all feels like a hidden corner of New York transplanted into a quiet Ohio strip mall.
Address: 17800 Chillicothe Rd Ste 104, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023.
7. Coccia House – Wooster
From the outside, Coccia House looks more like a slightly quirky house than a restaurant that inspires loyal road trips, and the steady stream of people picking up boxes gives away what is happening inside.
Once I step through the door to grab an order, the wood-paneled interior, worn floors, and busy counter make it feel instantly lived in.
The pizza here arrives thick and generous, with a crust that tastes like it spent time actually rising instead of being rushed. Cheese blankets the top in a golden layer, sealing in hearty toppings and a slow-cooked tomato sauce with plenty of depth.
The slices feel substantial enough to count as a full meal, especially when I reach one of those pockets where sauce, cheese, and crust sync perfectly.
With regulars lining up at the counter, car trunks loading with half-baked pans, and staff moving at a practiced pace, this unpretentious Wooster landmark quietly turns every box of pizza into an occasion.
Address: 764 Pittsburgh Ave, Wooster, OH 44691.
8. Mama Santa’s – Cleveland (Little Italy)
On a busy Little Italy corner, Mama Santa’s looks like a straightforward brick building with a simple sign and a steady line out the door. The moment I step inside, it feels more like someone’s family dining room than a polished restaurant.
Red sauce is the quiet star here, rich and hearty without being heavy, pairing perfectly with a crust that stays soft in the middle and a bit chewy at the rim. Toppings are classic, straightforward, and piled with the confidence of decades of repetition.
Sitting at a basic table with a pan of pizza in front of me, I can hear servers greeting guests who clearly come here on a first-name basis.
By the time I reach the last square slice, it is obvious this low-frills Little Italy institution relies on tradition and flavor instead of aesthetics to win people over.
Address: 12301 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106.
9. Dante’s Pizza – Cleveland (West Park)
Neon signs glowing in the window of Dante’s make the corner of Rocky River Drive feel like it belongs in an older Cleveland postcard. The building is compact and a little worn, exactly what I expect from a place that has been feeding the neighborhood for decades.
Inside, the setup is simple and comfortable, with a counter, a few booths, and the soft clatter of pans hitting metal shelves. The pizza comes out on thin, crisp crusts loaded edge to edge with cheese that melts into a bubbly, lightly browned blanket.
Sauce leans bright and tomato-forward, and classic toppings like sausage and pepperoni keep things rooted firmly in old-school territory.
When locals drop in for a quick slice and chat with the staff like they are extended family, this West Park standby feels less like a business and more like a shared neighborhood habit.
Address: 4200 Rocky River Dr, Cleveland, OH 44135.
10. Marion’s Piazza – Dayton (North Dixie)
From the outside, the North Dixie Marion’s looks like a sprawling, slightly retro hall you might expect to host school banquets. Once inside, the long rows of tables and cafeteria-style ordering make it obvious that the real focus is on feeding a lot of people well.
Their famous thin-crust pizza arrives party-cut into small squares, each one holding just enough toppings and cheese to make grabbing another feel far too easy. Toppings are tucked under a generous layer of cheese, which keeps everything in place and lets the crust stay surprisingly crisp.
Families spread out across big tables while friends share paper plates and trade square favorites. Between the unpretentious setting, fast service, and consistently addictive pies, this Dayton landmark turns a basic counter-service room into something that feels like the city’s shared dining room.
Address: 3443 N Dixie Dr, Dayton, OH 45414.
11. JJ’s Pizza – Fairview Park
A small green sign and a modest storefront on Lorain Road are all that announce JJ’s to anyone driving by. It looks like a neighborhood secret, the sort of place you only learn about from someone who insists you try it.
Inside, the setup is compact and straightforward, with most of the energy flowing into the back where the dough gets stretched and pans slide into hot ovens. The crust lands in that firm-but-chewy zone, sturdy enough to carry a serious load of cheese and toppings.
The sauce tastes like a carefully guarded family recipe, while a sharp provolone blend gives every slice a rich, slightly tangy finish.
With delivery cars constantly pulling out and locals popping in for carryout, this quiet Fairview Park shop proves that the best slices often come from the most unassuming corners.
Address: 20542 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park, OH 44126.
12. Plaza Pizza – Newark
A basic brick building on Mount Vernon Road holds Plaza Pizza, the sort of place I might mistake for any old carryout if I did not know better. The vintage cooler, wall menu, and straightforward layout signal that trends are optional here.
Their pizza leans toward classic Newark style, with a thin but substantial crust that bends without collapsing. Sauce has a gentle sweetness, just enough to keep each bite lively without overpowering the cheese.
Toppings are spread generously, so there are no sad, empty corners on a slice. When I see families juggling multiple boxes out to their cars and hear people chatting about their usual orders, it becomes clear this low-key spot has already won the only contest that matters in a town: repeat visits.
Address: 1130 Mt Vernon Rd #1, Newark, OH 43055.
13. DeCheco’s Pizzeria – Akron (Ellet/Springfield)
From the road, DeCheco’s looks like a modern yet understated storefront on a busy Akron stretch, more practical than picturesque. The simple exterior hides a kitchen that behaves like it has something to prove every time an order prints.
Inside, there is a casual, no-fuss feel, with staff moving quickly between ovens and counters. Pizzas come out with crusts that balance char and chew, the kind of base that can handle everything from classic pepperoni to heavier topping mixes.
Sauce leans bright and seasoned, while the cheese blend melts into silky, golden pools across the top. With multiple locations but a very local attitude, this Canton Road shop shows that even a modest, modern building can house pizza that sticks in my memory long after the box is empty.
Address: 1581 Canton Rd, Akron, OH 44312.
14. Johnnies Villa Pizza – Johnstown
What looks like an old house on a corner lot in Johnstown is actually home to Johnnies Villa, and the parking lot usually gives that secret away.
Inside, low ceilings, the order counter, and a lived-in warmth make it feel like a community hangout disguised as a restaurant, even though most people are just there long enough to pick up their food.
The pizza is hearty and comforting, with a crust that lands between thick and thin, strong enough to carry serious toppings. Sauce has a mild sweetness, cheese stretches into satisfying strands, and specialty pies like taco pizza have their own devoted fan base.
Families call in big pans and swing through for quick carryout while locals juggle boxes out to their cars. By the time I leave, hearing stories about people who grew up on this pizza and now bring their kids, it is clear that this unassuming house has fed more memories than its exterior ever suggests.
Address: 105 W Coshocton St, Johnstown, OH 43031.
15. Leaning Tower of Pizza – Mansfield
A playful name and a low-key brick building on Lexington Avenue set the stage at Leaning Tower of Pizza, but the place still looks more practical than polished. The colorful mural outside hints that the real personality lives on the inside of the box.
Step inside to the counter of this carryout shop and the atmosphere is casual and cheerful, with a menu full of classic pies and a few house specialties that regulars swear by.
The hand-tossed crust strikes a nice balance, thick enough to feel indulgent but light enough that I keep reaching back for another slice.
Sauce carries a gentle sweetness, cheese melts into smooth stretches, and toppings arrive in generous layers.
Watching families haul big boxes to the picnic tables out back or straight to their cars, and neighbors stop in to grab subs and slices, I get the sense that this humble Mansfield shop quietly turns everyday dinners into the kind of meals people remember long after the last piece disappears.
Address: 180 Lexington Ave, Mansfield, OH 44907.